Australia vs India Test Day 1: Aussies on top after Virat Kohli’s horror exit

It was the moment of madness that brought about a bizarre vindication of sorts for Nathan Lyon, who has taken a long time to get over his botched run-out during last year’s Ashes.    

Matthew Wade attempts a catch off the bowling of Nathan Lyon. Picture: Getty Images

The man they call “Jinx” may have become just that following a dramatic run out of Virat Kohli which has sent shockwaves through the Indian dressing room.

Kohli was in the process of once again grinding Australia into the Adelaide dirt in the only Test he will play this summer, when he was dramatically barbecued by deputy Ajinkya Rahane who is about to replace him as skipper.

The disastrous blunder left Kohli fuming and sparked an after-dark Indian collapse as pink ball specialists Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood smelt blood and attacked to leave the tourists 6-233 at stumps.

Watch Australia v India Test Series Live & Ad-Break Free During Play with the Fox Cricket commentary team. New to Kayo? Get your free trial now & start streaming instantly >

It was a tough final session for Virat Kohli. Picture: Getty Images

Kohli was on 74 and poised for another famous century at his favourite Australian ground when he was inexplicably skewered by Rahane who had called his captain through only to change his mind and leave him stranded in no-man’s land.

The moment of madness also brought about a bizarre redemption of sorts for Nathan Lyon, who had taken a long time to get over his botched run-out at Headingley during last year’s Ashes when he could have stopped Ben Stokes’ heroics with England needing two runs for victory.

Lyon admitted he didn’t know whether to “laugh, cry or scream” when he put down a similar throw into the stumps at Leeds. But on Thursday night the spinner’s safe hands returned when they mattered most as he clasped hold of the ball like his life depended on it and kept both hands on it as he took off the bails to ice a dramatic turning point, with ramifications for the entire series.

“It was massive. Obviously a wicket like that, or a run out especially Virat Kohli was massive,” Lyon said.

“It was good (for me) to be back on the board after the Ashes.

“After (the run-out) Josh (Hazlewood) ran the ball back to me saying ‘he’s back, he’s back.’ There was a bit of banter being thrown out there. It was a massive wicket of Virat Kohli. We were pretty happy out there.”

This moment could have cost the Aussies badly.

Kohli was making Australia pay for a tactical DRS blunder which in itself could have had massive implications on the first Test and the series, after Tim Paine decided against referring a gloved caught behind off Lyon when ‘The King’ was on just 16.

The Indian master has only played four Tests at Adelaide, but was on track for his fourth century, when he was hung out to dry by the man who is meant to maintain the spirit of the dressing room when he departs at Test end.

Rahane would have hoped he could stay out in the middle for the rest of the Test and avoid seeing Kohli again until he flies home for the birth of his first child, but the vice-captain followed him back to the pavilion four overs later after being trapped plumb lbw by an electric Starc for 42, who had already started off with a bang, taking a wicket with just the second ball of the Test.

“I think Mitch Starc speaks for himself. He’s world class. He’s an x-factor," said Lyon.

"We all know how good a bowler he is anyway and then you throw a pink ball in his hands and he grows an extra pair of legs.

"He was exceptional the way he came back and started after taking personal leave. And I wouldn’t expect anything different from Mitch. He’s an exceptional player and an x-factor and I love playing with him.”

As if Rahane’s nightmare couldn’t get any worse, he burnt a review on his way out for good measure.

Mitch Starc celebrates one of his wickets against India. Picture: Getty Images

When Hazlewood struck Hanuma Vihari (16) on the pads three overs later, the Indian rookie didn’t even bother going upstairs as he walked from the field to complete the carnage under lights.

India still have a chance with Wriddhiman Saha and Ravi Ashwin at the crease to lift the tourists to a total that could set up a cracking Test, but day one of Adelaide was a case of what could have been for the tourists and midway through the last session it was Australia ruing what might have been.

Australia was accused of a series-changing blunder when they failed with a golden opportunity to ruin Kohli’s only appearance for the summer.

Commentators were bemused by the conservative approach not to review when teams have three DRS referrals to burn this series.

History looked like repeating seven overs later when the umpire said not out to an appeal for a bat pad catch from Indian batsman Pujara off Lyon, but Steve Smith stormed in with an animated demand to go upstairs and The Wall was knocked down.

COVID-19 has brought an end to neutral umpires in Test cricket for the first time in 18 years, and in response rule makers have given teams an extra review to compensate for the perceived potential for ‘home town Harry’ decisions.

Despite the extra buffer, Australia decided not to review a not out decision which would have gifted them the prized wicket of Kohli – despite short leg fieldsman Matthew Wade adamant it was out.

Hot Spot replays showed the tiniest bright patch show up as the ball passed Kohli’s glove, and snicko displayed a slight but distinguishable flicker.

Lyon didn’t appear overly interested in the appeal to start his third over and captain Tim Paine’s was only half-hearted from behind the stumps and Australia’s horror run as the seventh worst Test nation at DRS continued.

"Yeah from my angle I was entirely out of sight," said Lyon.

"It wasn’t my best ball and I couldn’t hear any noises it was quite windy out there.

"Painey was stoked it was a really great catch so he wants everyone to write how good that catch was.

"Wadey said there was a sound and that it looked to be the right area but we weren’t 100 per cent sure on that and talking to Virat out there he said he didn’t feel anything on his glove and I had a look at his glove and there was no pink mark on it.

"Sometimes you get them, sometimes you don’t."

England Test great Michael Vaughan is among those to declare India cannot win this series if they drop the first Test – because the emotional impact of Kohli leaving will drain life out of the camp.

Mark Waugh has praised Rahane as an outstanding captain in his own right, but his leadership skills will now be put to the ultimate test to make up for his blunder and drag India back into the contest.

RECAP ALL THE NEWS IN OUR BLOG BELOW 

Originally published as Australia vs India Test Day 1: Aussies on top after Virat Kohli’s horror exit

Updates